August 11, 2006

Baby's First BloomThe titan arum (Amorphophallus titanum) is one of the world's most remarkable plants. Native to tropical forests in Sumatra, it produces a monstrous four- to nine-foot-tall flower head, which releases a monstrous stench of putrefaction at peak bloom (another name for the plant is the corpse flower!). The species rarely flowers in cultivation; but in August 2006, BBG's ten-year-old specimen—nicknamed "Baby"—flowered in spectacular style and with much fanfare. It was the first time a titan arum had bloomed in New York in nearly 70 years.